How to Improve Creativity: 6 Ways to Increase Creativity

Creativity is the ability to come up with original—sometimes unorthodox—ideas to solve problems or create something new altogether. While some may be more creatively inclined than others, creativity is a skill you can hone. From songwriters to television producers, creative individuals generally go through five steps to bring their ideas to fruition—preparation, incubation, illumination, evaluation, and verification.

There are several notable benefits to becoming a more creative person.

• Creative thinking improves problem-solving skills. Many problems in life do not have simple solutions. Creative thinking skills help you approach issues differently to find innovative solutions.
• Creativity helps you become more open-minded. When working on a creative project or solving a problem, you must consider different perspectives to develop a creative solution or a fresh idea. With practice, creative thinking can help you become more open to varying points of view.
• Creativity begets innovation. The creative process often produces innovative ideas. Divergent thinking can help you discover ideas or solutions you haven’t explored before.

Consider these tips to get out of that rut and boost creativity:

1. 1. Allow yourself to daydream. Try not to fill your downtime with entertainment or distractions. Social media, TV shows, and music, take up space your creativity could otherwise occupy. When you hit a wall or encounter a new problem, allow your mind to wander instead of filling it with content.
2. 2. Be active. Research shows that physical activity boosts cognitive performance. If you’re having trouble coming up with a creative idea, step outside for fresh air, go for a short walk, or exercise.
3. 3. Brainstorm ideas. During a brainstorming session, there’s no such thing as a bad idea. Write down your thoughts on notecards, and place them on a table or tape them to the wall. It can help to visualize all your ideas at once, so you can prioritize and choose the best solution.
4. 4. Find inspiration in your everyday life. Ideas and opportunities can come from anywhere. Observing the world around you is essential as a creative person because it can inform your best work. A random observation can potentially trigger an innovative solution. One of musician St. Vincent’s tips for honing your creativity is to step outside your comfort zone to find inspiration from other art forms and life experiences to fuel your creative juices and see things from a different perspective.
5. 5. Limit distractions. Distractions can derail your thought process and stifle creativity. Create a distraction-free environment, whether working on a creative project or trying to solve a problem. Try leaving your phone in another room or moving to a secluded location.
6. 6. Practice self-discipline. Although it might seem counterintuitive, more structure can create an environment conducive to creative thinking. Sometimes, setting limitations for yourself can help you focus on the task at hand, effectively forcing you to be creative within a given set of parameters. Learn how to build discipline with Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 racer who has driven more laps in first place than any other driver in history.

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